House Centipede
Scutigera coleoptrata
This record describes Scutigera coleoptrata (species). Recorded family: Scutigeridae. Recorded order: Scutigeromorpha.
Identification and Appearance
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Chilopoda
- Order
- Scutigeromorpha (House Centipedes)
- Family
- Scutigeridae
- Genus
- Scutigera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About House Centipedes: the wider group
Order-level background for Scutigeromorpha, the group containing Scutigera coleoptrata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
This is a smaller arthropod order with specialized ecological roles. Arthropods are the most diverse animal phylum, comprising over 80% of all known animal species with approximately 1.2 million described species globally.
Ecological role of the group
Members of this order contribute to broader arthropod ecosystem functions including decomposition, predation, and serving as food sources for vertebrates. Arthropod biodiversity is essential for ecosystem resilience.
Economic and practical significance of the group
While this order has limited direct economic impact, arthropods collectively provide ecosystem services worth trillions of dollars annually through pollination, decomposition, pest control, and nutrient cycling.
Recorded sources for this group: General entomology and arthropod research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of House Centipede (11)
Photo credits: (c) Paolo Zucca, some rights reserved (CC BY). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/404543361. Original downloaded bytes; proportional display only